FROM DELIGHT CHINEDUM,, AWKA
Ahead of the 2025 governorshiip election in Anambra state, controversy has trailed the recent pronouncement by a group of supporters of the late chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), and Frontline contender to the governorshiip seat, Ifeanyi Ubah,, that it has shifted it’s allegiance and endorsed former National Auditor of the APC, Paul Chukwuma, following the untimely death of Ubah
Recall that a group of former supporters of late Ubah, under the aegis of Ikemba front, a frontline political pressure group in the state, had at a ceremony at the Umueri residence of Chukwuma in Anambra state on announced their shift of loyalty and enforcement of the top governorship contender, stating that they took the decision following the demise of their late leader
Leader of the group, Chidi Okoye, who led the 21 local government coordinators and the state officers of the movement, described the APC aspirant as the most suitable candidate to govern Anambra.
Okoye said he shares the same ideology and vision as the group and the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
He assured that the group would mobilize their members across the state to support Chukwuma, helping him to emerge as the APC candidate and ensuring that he wins the main November 2025 gubernatorial election.
But in a swift reaction, another group of Ikemba Front, denied the reported endorsement, saying that it has not endorsed any aspirant for the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra state.
The group made the reaction on a communique issued after its joint national executive committee meeting in Awka on Thursday.
The communique which was signed by Mr Ike-Obiegbu Ikeobi, the group’s National Secretary said it believed and supported the political zoning arrangement in Anambra state.
The communiqué which dismissed the purported endorsement of any aspirant, and described it as null and void and of no effect as those behind it were not known to the group.
According to the group, “We are obligated to stand by the existing zoning arrangement that has seen power move from Anambra Central to North and now South Senatorial Districts
“We hereby state categorically that it is still the turn of Anambra South Senatorial District to complete their term based on the aforementioned zoning arrangement.
“That the purported endorsement of an aspirant by some imposters is not known to Ikemba Front thus, the jamboree called endorsement is null and void and of no effect.”
The communique said Ikemba Front founded by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and resuscitated by late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was one under the leadership of Chief Sir Arinzechukwu Awogu as National Coordinator
It announced the suspension and sack of the former National Youth leader of the group and 11 others for their various roles in the attempt to undermine the principles of Ikemba Front.
“Consequent upon their nefarious activities within the organisation and deliberate attempt to trade with the name of Ikemba Front have been suspended and subsequently sacked,” it said.
The group further announced new appointments including an Elders Council with Prof. Melie Onyejegbu and Mr Obidi Nwabueze as Chairman and Secretary, respectively, to function as the apex decision making body of the group.